Photos: 12 cyber-shopping scams of Christmas

Joerg Koch, AP10.31.2012

1) Social Media Scams – Don’t be quick to click on links in posts or to ‘Like’ Facebook posts that promise contests, ads and special deals — even if they come from people you trust in your social networks. Your friends’ social media profiles may have been hacked and scammers could be using those channels to collect financial and other personal information. Twitter ads promising discounts are big around Boxing Day and the links in those posts can lead you to malicious web sites that appear to be legitimate but are only there to collect your credit card number and other potentially lucrative information.

Joerg Koch
/ AP

2) Malicious Mobile Apps – Be careful what apps you download. McAfee warns there are malicious apps designed to steal information or send out premium-rate text messages that could run up your wireless bill without your knowledge.

9) Phony E-tailers – Phony e-commerce web sites try to trick you into giving your credit card details, often with great deals. There are no such deals – they’ll take your money and that special deal will never arrive in the mail.

10) Fake Charities – One of the biggest scams of the holiday season, according to McAfee. Only deal with legitimate charities that you know and make sure you are on their legitimate web site – not scams masquerading as do-gooders to part you with your money.The Vancouver Sun
/ The Vancouver Sun

11) Dangerous e-Cards – It’s tempting to send e-cards, particularly when you miss the deadlines for snail mail but beware that some of the e-card greeting sites are malicious ones and could download spyware or viruses onto your computer.Archive
/ PNG

12) Phony Classifieds – Phony offers in online sites may ask for personal information or get you to wire funds via Western Union. Don’t fall for the offers, no matter how good they seem.Archive
/ PNG

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